The Montreal Canadiens signed former ECHLer David Desharnais to a four-year, $14 million contract extension Friday.

Desharnais, who played 68 games with Cincinnati of the ECHL in 2007-08 and 174 in the AHL after going undrafted, established himself as an NHLer in 2011-12 when he had 16 goals and 44 assists in 81 games.

"I was hoping this was coming, I just didn't know when," Desharnais said. "I've been thinking back to all the people who helped me a along the way and who believed in me. This is a great validation. When I entered the ECHL, there was definitely some doubt in my mind, but it ended up being the best year of my life and things have only continued to get better since."